Abstract: The invention relates to methods of reducing circulating glucose levels with compositions obtained from botanical sources. More specifically, the invention relates to methods of treating individuals whom wish to reduce their circulating glucose levels, particularly individuals having elevated circulating glucose levels, with an extract product of Aframomum melegueta.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing nicotine analogs and derivatives are described. The methods are particularly useful for the regioselective production of enantiomerically pure nicotine analogs having substituents at the C4 position. Intermediates useful for the synthesis of such compounds are also described.

Abstract: Provided are lipidic particles comprising phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and cholesterol. Also provided are compositions comprising the lipidic particles and having associated therewith therapeutic agents such as peptides, polypeptides or proteins. In these compositions, the therapeutic agents have reduced immunogenicity and/or longer circulating time. These compositions can be used for therapeutic administration of the peptides, polypeptides and/or proteins.

Abstract: Provided is a method for treatment of blood coagulation disorders. The method comprises administering to an individual compositions comprising lipidic particles comprising phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and cholesterol. One or more peptides, polypeptides or proteins involved in the blood coagulation cascade are associated with the lipidic particles.

Abstract: A rigid, flat plate diaphragm for an acoustic device is illustrated. The internal supporting structure of the diaphragm provides a combination of torsional and translational stiffeners, which resemble a number of crossbars. These stiffeners brace and support the diaphragm motion, thus causing its response to not be adversely affected by fabrication stresses and causing it to be very similar in dynamic response to an ideal flat plate operating in a frequency range that extends well beyond the audible.

Abstract: Use of a new class of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) inhibitors of formula I for inducing apoptosis in unwanted rapidly proliferating cells, for treating, inhibiting, or delaying the onset of cancer, and for preventing restenosis in a subject that has undergone an angioplasty or stent: wherein X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and haloalkyl; Ar is an aryl radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, and fluorenyl; and wherein Ar is optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halo, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, azido, C1-C4 azidoalkyl, aryl, akylaryl, haloaryl, haloalkylaryl, and combinations thereof; and R is selected from the group consisting of nitrile, acetonitrile, ethylnitrile, propylnitrile, carboxamide, amidine, tetrazole, oxime, hydrazone, acetamidine, aminoacetamide, guanidine, and urea.

Abstract: A method and system that creates a boundary with an alert and deterring function when the boundary is crossed. The system employs a base unit and one or more portable IR motion sensors which are capable of discriminating between objects of differing physical characteristics, and notifies the user when the parameters for sufficient obstruction have been met. Both sensors and base unit have audio and visual deterring capabilities to frighten away unwanted intruders. The method and system can be utilized in camping situations to deter dangerous wildlife and can be configured to notify users when children exit from an area. The system can be used to create a contiguous perimeter, or any boundary arrangement desired.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell comprising a gradient catalyst structure and a method of making the same. The gradient catalyst structure can include a plurality of catalyst nanoparticles, e.g., platinum, disposed on layered buckypaper. The layered buckypaper can include at least a first layer and a second layer and the first layer can have a lower porosity compared to the second layer. The gradient catalyst structure can include single-wall nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or both in the first layer of the layered buckypaper and can include carbon nanofibers in the second layer of the layered buckypaper. The MEA can have a catalyst utilization efficiency of at least 0.35 gcat/kW or less.

Abstract: Fructooligosaccharide (FOS)-related protein nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, FOS-related fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-FOS-related antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further disclosed.

Abstract: Aerial vehicles make good remote sensing platforms by reducing the cost and making imagery easier to obtain. The low altitude, small image footprint and high number of images make it difficult and tedious to georeference the images based on features. Auto-orthorectification techniques based on the position and attitude of the aerial vehicle would work well except the inherent errors in the aerial vehicle sensors reduce the accuracy of the orthorectification significantly. The orthorectification accuracy is improved by calibrating the aerial vehicle sensors. This is done by inverse orthorectifing the images to find the actual position and attitude of the aerial vehicle using ground references setup in a square.

Abstract: Disclosed are developments in high temperature fuel cells including ionic liquids with high temperature stability and the storage of inorganic acids as di-anion salts of low volatility. The formation of ionically conducting liquids of this type having conductivities of unprecedented magnitude for non-aqueous systems is described. The stability of the di-anion configuration is shown to play a role in the high performance of the non-corrosive proton-transfer ionic liquids as high temperature fuel cell electrolytes. Performance of simple H2(g) electrolyte/O2(g) fuel cells with the new electrolytes is described. Superior performance both at ambient temperature and temperatures up to and above 200° C. are achieved. Both neutral proton transfer salts and the acid salts with HSO?4 anions, give good results, the bisulphate case being particularly good at low temperatures and very high temperatures.

Abstract: A method and system for providing protection of multiple communication sessions using the bandwidth resources on the order of those required to protect a single communication session. This is facilitated through the use of network coding on a protection cycle. Transmissions from all connections are coded together using network coding and transmitted in two different directions on a cycle, so that the signal can be recovered by the receiver in two ways: on the working path, and on the protection (cycle) path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for remediating fuel oxygenate-contaminated soil, sediment or groundwater comprising combining at least one natural microorganism source with at least one methoxylated phenolic compound under anaerobic conditions. The invention also relates to a method for increasing the rate of remediation of fuel oxygenate-contaminated soil.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target nucleic acid is disclosed, the method comprising detecting the presence of a fluorescent covalent crosslinked product from non-fluorescent precursors. The fluorescent covalent crosslinked product comprises a novel fluorophore structure. Also described are methods of synthesizing probe molecules that can form fluorescent covalent crosslinked products with nucleic acid targets and arrays comprising such probes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aggregate composed of a plurality of nanoparticles of a transition metal and a plurality of cyanine dye molecules that are interacting non-covalently. The nanoparticles are capped with a capping molecule, while the cyanine dye molecule can be cationic, anionic, or neutral cyanine dye. Methods of making such aggregates and for using them in detection of an analyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel seed specific promoter regions. The present invention further provide methods of producing proteins and other products of interest and methods of controlling expression of nucleic acid sequences of interest using the seed specific promoter regions. The present invention also provides methods of identifying and isolating novel seed specific promoters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical simulator for teaching, practicing, and evaluating surgical techniques. Such a simulator may comprise a cassette of organs, blood vessels, and tissues that may be disposable. The simulator also comprises a hemodynamic simulator and a frame assembly, the frame assembly providing support for the cassette of organs as well as a fluid conduit through which simulated blood flow from the hemodynamic simulator may be connected to the blood vessels of the organs and related tissues. The hemodynamic simulator provides adjustable and variable pressures to the arteries and veins, as well as variable pulse rates, which can be programmed at settings chosen by an instructor or user.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention uses synchronous rectification and frequency domain analysis to remove the need for calibration of the A/D and D/A components. It is applicable to any sensor based measurement in which either the sensor can be excited with an AC voltage or current, or in which the signal can be modulated with an AC voltage or current.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding Thermotoga maritima mannitol dehydrogenase and the Thermotoga maritima mannitol dehydrogenase polypeptide are disclosed. Further provided are an electrochemical bioreactor system and a bioreactor electrode that can be used to convert glucose or fructose to mannitol.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a target area with an ultrasound wave pattern, including: providing an ultrasound apparatus having an ultrasound wave generator operatively attached to a plurality of transducers, coupled to an immersible support and configured to emit an ultrasound wave; immersing the apparatus into a water environment; positioning the apparatus proximate to a target area to treat at least one in situ organism; and emitting a pattern of ultrasound waves from the transducers, the pattern of ultrasound waves additive in effect and emitted onto the target area to threat an in situ underwater organism.